Parasites
- The illness may be caused by a parasitic infection including lungworm
and heartworms.
Viral
- A virus may cause the
illness normally as a result of canine distemper or a URI - Upper
Respiratory Infection.
Fungus
-
Coccidioidomycosis
Immitis or
Cryptococcus Neoformans -
both forms of fungus can also cause the illness.
Bacteria
- A secondary bacterial infection due to
kennel cough
and problems with the esophagus may cause the illness.
Allergy
- An allergic reaction may cause too many inflammatory cells to get
into the lungs causing the illness - this may be due to cigarette smoke.
Organ
Failure - The illness may
also be secondary after failure of a specific organ like the heart.
Liquid
Aspiration - Canine pneumonia
may also be due to the aspiration of liquid - this is relatively common
in puppies and is when the milk flows back into the trachea as opposed
to the esophagus.
Symptoms...
The symptoms of this illness includes...
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- Sneezing.
- Tiredness and lethargy.
- Listlessness.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Shortness of breath.
Treatment...
Treatment
for the illness may include antibiotics, but if your dog needs to be
hospitalized...
- Intravenous fluids.
- Oxygen therapy
- Chest clapping where
physical therapy is used to expand the lungs.
- The vet may also use
canine medications such as theophylline, terbutaline
albuterol as these are quite effective at opening the bronchial tubes -
these are used via a nebulizer or vaporizer.
Diagnosis...
The
diagnosis of this illness is normally achieved by X-rays of the lungs
or through your vet listening to your dog's lungs.
